Bristol Bears look to get 2021 off to a bright start when they host Newcastle Falcons at Aston Gate on New Year's Day in Round Five of the Gallagher Premiership.
Bristol have won their last three Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures since their opening weekend defeat at Wasps and have lost only once at Ashton Gate in the league since last January, 2020, going down 22-25 to Exeter on 25 August.
Newcastle’s only defeat so far this season was at home to Cardiff Blues in the European Challenge Cup on 11 December. The Falcons have not been defeated away from home in any competition since a trip to Gloucester in May 2019.
But the Bears won both encounters when the two clubs last met in Gallagher Premiership Rugby during the season 2018/19.
Sadly with Bristol still in Tier 3 of the government Covid-19 restrictions there will be no fans permitted at Ashton Gate for the festive fixture.
The good news is the game is being shown live on TV and here are all the way you can follow the match.
What time is kick-off?
The game at Ashton Gate has been moved from its original 7.45pm kicks-off time to 3pm on Friday, January 1.
Is the game on TV?
Yes. The great news is BT Sport have confirmed they will show every game being played behind closed doors during the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season.
Today's game is being shown live on BT Sport 2 HD, which is not one of the main channels but can be selected on both TV and BT Sport App.
The coverage will start at about 2.30pm
Through an agreement between Premiership Rugby and BT Sport, eligible club season ticket holders will gain free access to home Gallagher Premiership matches on the BT Sport App up until Christmas (round 4) when the provision will be reviewed. The BT Sport Match Pass is designed for season ticket holders of participating clubs who do not already have a BT Sport subscription and who cannot attend their home matches due to the current restrictions.
How else can I follow the game?
If you can’t watch the game live on TV you can follow all the play-by-play action on our live blog on Bristol Live.
BBC Radio Bristol will also be providing live commentary from the game.
What's the team news?
Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau; 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Piers O’Conor, 11. Ioan Lloyd; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Peter McCabe, 2. George Kloska, 3. Jake Armstrong, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Jake Heenan, 8. Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16. Aaron Thompson, 17. Andrew Turner, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. John Hawkins, 20. Fitz Harding, 21. Harry Randall, 22. Alapati Leiua, 23. Luke Morahan.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Trevor Davison, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Marco Fuser, 6 Sean Robinson, 7 Mark Wilson (captain), 8 Philip van der Walt
Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Connor Collett, 20 Josh Basham, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Brett Connon, 23 Gareth Owen.
What are the odds?
Bristol Bears 4/11
Draw 20/1
Newcastle Falcons 2/1
